Free Friday Flicks returns to the New Haven Green

(7/7/2011) New Haven, CT - The City of New Haven’s Livable Cities Initiative (LCI) and Department of Cultural Affairs are pleased to jointly announce the return of “Friday Flicks” on the historic downtown Green. Friday Flicks is a series of free movies presented outdoors for the entire family to enjoy. All are invited to bring blankets and chairs for evening entertainment under the stars. The series will start on Friday, July 15 and run five successive Fridays through August 12, 2011. Movies will begin after sunset between 8:30-9pm.

Mayor DeStefano explained, “The New Haven Green is a landmark asset to our community. Friday Flicks are a great way for the whole family to gather and enjoy the summer.”

“Friday Flicks was one of the City’s most favorite family summer events and we received so many requests to bring it back that we’re excited that we are able to again make this available to the public,” said Barbara Lamb, the City’s Director of Cultural Affairs.

“We’re especially happy to be partnering with LCI which works so hard to make New Haven the livable city that it is.” Erik Johnson, LCI’s Director stated “We’ve selected some great family and classic films that everyone will enjoy and I urge everyone to come out with friends and family for a fun night on the New Haven Green.”

The summer line up includes:

July 15: Men in Black

Two men who keep an eye on aliens in New York City must try to save the world after the aliens threaten to blow it up.

July 22: Back to the Future

In 1985, Doc Brown invents time travel; in 1955, Marty McFly accidentally prevents his parents from meeting, putting his own existence at stake.

July 29: The Blues Brothers

Jake Blues, just out from prison, puts together his old band to save the Catholic home where he and brother Elwood were raised.

August 5: Finding Nemo

A father-son underwater adventure featuring Nemo, a boy clownfish, stolen from his coral reef home. His timid father must then travel to Sydney and search Sydney Harbour to find Nemo.

August 12: Last Days of the Coliseum

This documentary, recently completed by Rich Hanley, Associate Professor of Journalism at Quinnipiac University, tells the complete story of the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, including much of the city’s history of indoor sports and family entertainment. The film explores the Coliseum’s 30-year run as the temple of rock music, hockey, wrestling and pop culture for baby boomers, until its demise and eventual implosion in 2007.

Both on-street and garage parking is available nearby. Visitors are encouraged to dine in or take out a delicious meal from one of New Haven’s downtown restaurants prior to the film to enjoy on the New Haven Green. Refreshments such as popcorn, hot dogs and soft drinks may be available from local itinerant food vendors. Friday Flicks is sponsored by Continuum of Care, The Bennington Group, Trinity Financial, START Bank, Laz Parking, Northland Investment Corporation, Dunhill Capital, Pike International, and Yale University.

The City of New Haven’s Department of Cultural Affairs is dedicated to enhancing the City’s quality of life and supporting its economic development through the production of events, the commissioning of public art and assisting and promoting New Haven’s many artists and cultural organizations. www.cityofnewhaven.com/culturalaffairs.